U.S. patent number 11,362,422 [Application Number 16/631,446] was granted by the patent office on 2022-06-14 for device and method for intra-ship communication.
This patent grant is currently assigned to UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY), ZN OCEAN CO., LTD., ZN TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY), ZN OCEAN CO., LTD., ZN TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Eun Gyu Bae, Franklin Don Bien, Chang Soo Kang, Mi Young Kim, Na Young Kim, Chul Gyun Park.
United States Patent |
11,362,422 |
Kang , et al. |
June 14, 2022 |
Device and method for intra-ship communication
Abstract
The present invention relates to an interphone device for use in
ships, the interphone device comprising: an input/output unit to
which a voice is input or from which a voice is output; a
transmission/reception circuit unit which receives the voice from
the input/output unit and provides a first signal obtained by
encoding and modulating the received voice; and an antenna which is
attached to the metal hull of the ship, forms an electromagnetic
field in the metal hull, and carries the first signal received from
the transmission/reception circuit unit by the electromagnetic
field, so as to propagate the first signal.
Inventors: |
Kang; Chang Soo (Gyeonggi-do,
KR), Kim; Na Young (Seoul, KR), Bae; Eun
Gyu (Gyeonggi-do, KR), Kim; Mi Young
(Gyeonggi-do, KR), Park; Chul Gyun (Seoul,
KR), Bien; Franklin Don (Ulsan, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZN TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
ZN OCEAN CO., LTD. |
Ulsan
Ulsan
Busan |
N/A
N/A
N/A |
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
ZN TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
(Ulsan, KR)
UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
(Ulsan, KR)
ZN OCEAN CO., LTD. (Busan, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006366957 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/631,446 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2017 |
PCT
Filed: |
August 14, 2017 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2017/008843 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
May 07, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/017520 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
January 24, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200303819 A1 |
Sep 24, 2020 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Jul 17, 2017 [KR] |
|
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10-2017-0090548 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q
1/34 (20130101); H04M 1/18 (20130101); H04B
5/0037 (20130101); H01Q 5/335 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H01Q
1/34 (20060101); H04M 1/18 (20060101); H04B
5/00 (20060101); H01Q 5/335 (20150101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1656717 |
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101072050 |
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Nov 2007 |
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102598407 |
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Jul 2012 |
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CN |
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103089249 |
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May 2013 |
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CN |
|
105931449 |
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Sep 2016 |
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CN |
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2005341178 |
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Dec 2005 |
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JP |
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2011176763 |
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Sep 2011 |
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JP |
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20020070704 |
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Sep 2002 |
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KR |
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20050008741 |
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Jan 2005 |
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KR |
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20130087708 |
|
Aug 2013 |
|
KR |
|
20170033943 |
|
Mar 2017 |
|
KR |
|
Other References
Off-Hull Radio Frequency Emissions from Below-Deck Spaces in
Ships--Gregory Tait et al. (Year: NA). cited by examiner .
Druganti et al., "Evanescent Mode Power-transfer and Communication
Technology for Internet of Things Device Charging Over Metal
Surfaces," The Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers,
2016, vol. 6, pp. 1633-1636. cited by applicant .
WIPO, ISR for PCT/KR2017/008843, dated Apr. 23, 2018. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Tan; Vibol
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hodgson Russ LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An interphone device installed and used in a ship, the
interphone device comprising: an input/output unit to receive or
output a voice; a transmission/reception circuit unit to receive
the voice from the input/output unit, to encode and modulate the
voice, and to provide a first signal; an antenna attached to a
metal hull of the ship and configured to form an electromagnetic
field in the metal hull, to load the first signal received from the
transmission/reception circuit unit into the electromagnetic field
and to propagate the first signal; and a controller to feed back
impedance of the antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna
to match impedance of a receiver.
2. The interphone device of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes:
a first layer formed of a conductive material and including at
least one opening contacting the hull; a second layer formed of a
conductive material and adjacent to the first layer; and a third
layer formed of a dielectric material, interposed between the first
layer and the second layer and configured to exchange
electromagnetic waves with the hull to load the first signal into
the electromagnetic field.
3. The interphone device of claim 2, wherein the first layer
includes nine openings having an array of 3.times.3.
4. The interphone device of claim 1, wherein the antenna receives
power from an electromagnetic wave transmitted through the hull and
provides the power to the transmission/reception circuit unit, and
the transmission/reception circuit unit supplies power to the
input/output unit through a converter.
5. The interphone device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the
first layer and the second layer includes a copper material.
6. The interphone device of claim 2, wherein the third layer
includes at least one material of carbon fiber, acrylic, and
polycarbonate.
7. The interphone device of claim 1, further comprising: a current
sensing unit to sense current flowing into the hull, wherein the
controller adjusts an impedance of the antenna depending on a
current value sensed by the current sensing unit.
8. The interphone device of claim 7, wherein the controller adjusts
an impedance of the antenna, using the sensed current value and a
pre-calculated table.
9. An interphone device for receiving a voice from an input/output
unit installed in a ship, the interphone device comprising: an
antenna attached to a first location of a metal hull of the ship
and configured to receive a first signal corresponding to the voice
when an antenna on a side of an input unit attached to a second
location of the metal hull of the ship forms an electromagnetic
field in the metal hull and loads the first signal onto the
electromagnetic field to propagate the first signal; a
transmission/reception circuit unit to modulate and decode the
first signal and to provide the modulated and decoded result as the
voice; and a controller to feed back impedance of the antenna and
to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match impedance of a
transmitter.
10. The interphone device of claim 9, wherein the antenna includes:
a first layer formed of a conductive material and including at
least one opening contacting the hull; a second layer formed of a
conductive material and adjacent to the first layer; and a third
layer formed of a dielectric material, interposed between the first
layer and the second layer, and configured to receive the first
signal by exchanging electromagnetic waves with the hull.
11. The interphone device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the
first layer and the second layer includes a copper material.
12. The interphone device of claim 10, wherein the third layer
includes at least one material of carbon fiber, acrylic, and
polycarbonate.
13. The interphone device of claim 9, wherein, when supply power
from a battery of the ship or power of the a ship is converted and
transmitted to an antenna receiving the first signal, the
transmission/reception circuit unit transmits the power to the
antenna, and the antenna propagates the power to an antenna of a
side of the interphone by forming an electromagnetic field in the
metal hull.
14. The interphone device of claim 9, further comprising: a current
sensing unit to sense current flowing into the hull, and wherein
the controller adjusts an impedance of the antenna depending on a
current value sensed by the current sensing unit.
15. The interphone device of claim 9, wherein the controller
adjusts an impedance of the antenna, using a sensed current value
and a pre-calculated table.
16. A repeater installed and used in a ship, the repeater
comprising: an input/output unit to receive or output data; a
transmission/reception circuit unit to receive the data from the
input/output unit, to encode and modulate the data, and to provide
a signal; an antenna attached to a first location of a metal hull
of the ship and configured to form an electromagnetic field in the
metal hull, to load the signal received from the
transmission/reception circuit unit into the electromagnetic field,
and to propagate the signal; and a controller to feed back
impedance of the antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna
to match impedance of a receiver.
17. The repeater of claim 16, wherein the antenna is further
configured to receive other signal corresponding to the data when
an antenna on a side of an input unit attached to a second location
of the metal hull of the ship forms an electromagnetic field in the
metal hull and loads the other signal onto the electromagnetic
field to propagate the other signal; the transmission/reception
circuit unit is further configured to modulate and decode the other
signal and to provide the modulated and decoded result as the data;
and the controller is further configured to feed back impedance of
the antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a transmitter.
18. The interphone device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is
further configured to load power into the electromagnetic field and
to propagate the power.
19. The interphone device of claim 9, wherein the antenna is
further configured to receive power when an antenna on a side of a
power transmitting device attached to the second location of the
metal hull of the ship forms an electromagnetic field in the metal
hull and loads the power onto the electromagnetic field to
propagate the power.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Example embodiments relate to a communication device and method,
and more particularly, to a device that transmits and receives a
signal, such as video or the like from one side of the ship to the
other thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
In ships, interphone devices for communication are wiredly
connected to each other. The power supply for the interphone
installed in each compartment divided by a partition is also
connected wiredly.
However, this wired connection makes the installation of an
interphone difficult during both shipbuilding and post-production
of a ship. Due to the wired connection, a hole needs to be drilled
into the ship's partition; the length of the ship is hundreds of
meters, and thus the wired connection for a long length is
expensive.
For the purpose of replacing such the wired connection, a wireless
connection such as a Radio Frequency (RF) method or the like may be
possible, but may not be used in a space where electromagnetic
waves are shielded by a steel partition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical Solutions
According to an example embodiment, there is provided an interphone
device installed and used in a ship, the interphone device
including an input/output unit to receive or output a voice, a
transmission/reception circuit unit to receive the voice from the
input/output unit, to encode and modulate the voice and to provide
a first signal, an antenna attached to a metal hull of the ship and
configured to form an electromagnetic field in the metal hull, to
load the first signal received from the transmission/reception
circuit unit into the electromagnetic field and to propagate the
first signal, and a controller to feed back impedance of the
antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a receiver.
According to another example embodiment, the antenna may include a
first layer formed of a conductive material and including at least
one opening contacting the hull, a second layer formed of a
conductive material and adjacent to the first layer, and a third
layer formed of a dielectric material, interposed between the first
layer and the second layer and configured to exchange
electromagnetic waves with the hull to load the first signal into
the electromagnetic field. Also, the first layer may include nine
openings having an array of 3.times.3.
According to another example embodiment, the antenna unit may
receive power from an electromagnetic wave transmitted through the
hull and may provide the power to the transmission/reception
circuit unit, and the transmission/reception circuit unit may
supply power to the input/output unit through a converter. At least
one of the first layer and the second layer may include a copper
material.
According to another example embodiment, the third layer may
include at least one material of carbon fiber, acrylic, and
polycarbonate.
According to an aspect, there is provided an interphone device for
receiving a voice from an input/output unit installed in a ship,
the interphone device including an antenna attached to a first
location of a metal hull of the ship and configured to receive a
first signal corresponding to the voice when an antenna on a side
of an input unit attached to a second location of the metal hull of
the ship forms an electromagnetic field in the metal hull and loads
the first signal onto the electromagnetic field to propagate the
first signal, a transmission/reception circuit unit to modulate and
decode the first signal and to provide the modulated and decoded
result as the voice, and a controller to feed back impedance of the
antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a transmitter.
According to another aspect, the antenna may include a first layer
formed of a conductive material and including at least one opening
contacting the hull, a second layer formed of a conductive material
and adjacent to the first layer, and a third layer formed of a
dielectric material, interposed between the first layer and the
second layer, and to receive the first signal by exchanging
electromagnetic waves with the hull.
According to another aspect, at least one of the first layer and
the second layer may include a copper material. The third layer may
include at least one material of carbon fiber, acrylic, and
polycarbonate.
According to another aspect, the transmission/reception circuit
unit may transmit the power to the antenna, and the antenna may
propagate the power to an antenna of a side of the interphone by
forming an electromagnetic field in the metal hull, when supply
power from a battery of the ship or power of the a ship is
converted and transmitted to an antenna receiving the first
signal.
According to another example embodiment, there is provided a
repeater installed and used in a ship, the repeater including an
input/output unit to receive or output data, a
transmission/reception circuit unit to receive the data from the
input/output unit, to encode and modulate the data and to provide a
first signal, an antenna attached to a metal hull of the ship and
configured to form an electromagnetic field in the metal hull, to
load the first signal received from the transmission/reception
circuit unit into the electromagnetic field and to propagate the
first signal, and a controller to feed back impedance of the
antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a receiver.
According to an example embodiment, there is provided a power
transmitting device installed and used in a ship, the power
transmitting device including an antenna attached to a metal hull
of the ship and configured to form an electromagnetic field in the
metal hull, to load power into the electromagnetic field and to
propagate the power, and a controller to feed back impedance of the
antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a receiver.
According to another example embodiment, there is provided a power
receiving device installed and used in a ship, the power receiving
device including an antenna attached to a first location of a metal
hull of the ship and configured to receive power when an antenna on
a side of a power transmitting device attached to a second location
of the metal hull of the ship forms an electromagnetic field in the
metal hull and loads the power onto the electromagnetic field to
propagate the power, and a controller to feed back impedance of the
antenna and to adjust the impedance of the antenna to match
impedance of a transmitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing a principle that an
image is transmitted through a metal hull, according to an example
embodiment;
FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna unit and a transmission/reception
circuit unit, according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an antenna unit, according to an example
embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a side view of an antenna unit, according to an example
embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of an overall system
configuration, according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram for impedance matching,
according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a whole ship in which a plurality of
ship interphones are installed, according to an example
embodiment;
FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed appearance of a ship interphone,
according to an example embodiment; and
FIG. 9 illustrates an appearance in which a ship interphone is
attached to a partition in a cabin, according to an example
embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the
inventive concept is neither limited nor restricted by the example
embodiments. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the
same members.
The terms used in the description below has been selected as be
general and universal terms in the related art, but other terms are
present depending on the development and/or change of technology,
conventions, preferences of the technicians, and the like.
Therefore, the terms used in the description below should not be
understood as limiting the technical spirit, but should be
understood as illustrative terms for describing the example
embodiments.
Terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant of the example
embodiments may also be used in a specific case. In this case, the
detailed meanings are given in the corresponding description.
Accordingly, the terms used in the description below should be
understood based on the meaning of the term and the contents
throughout the specification, not by simply stating the terms.
Configuration of Ship Interphone Device
A ship interphone device according to example embodiments includes
an input/output unit (or a handset is also possible) that inputs or
outputs a voice, a transmission/reception circuit unit that
processes the voice, and an antenna that transmits and receives a
signal in the communication method suggested below. Conventionally,
the process of transmitting voice data or electrical signal is
performed by wired communication or wireless communication of an RF
scheme. However, according to example embodiments, voice data or
electrical signals are transmitted from one side to the other side
by metal body communication (or magnetic field communication),
which uses the hull of the ship as the medium of communication.
Furthermore, the transmitter of one side transmits the supply power
to the receiver of the other side, thereby delivering the operating
power of the ship interphone device.
The ship interphone device according to an example embodiment may
be applied to the remote emergency call for a ship. However, this
is just one of exemplary applications and other types of products
are possible. The application may be also applied to various
communications such as a video call, a text message, or the like as
well as an interphone performing voice communication.
The ship interphone device according to an example embodiment
includes an input/output unit that inputs or outputs a voice and a
transmission/reception circuit unit that encodes and modulates the
voice to provide a first signal (it means an electrical and/or
magnetic signal, the same as above). Furthermore, the device
includes an antenna that is attached to the ship's metal hull,
forms an electromagnetic field in the metal hull, and loads the
first signal received from the transmission/reception circuit unit
into the electromagnetic field, so as to propagate the first
signal. The configuration of the antenna unit will be described
later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4.
According to an example embodiment, the interphone device receives
and processes the signal that is transmitted by the input/output
unit through the hull using metal body communication. The
interphone device includes an antenna attached to the first
location of the ship's metal hull. When an antenna on the side of
the interphone device attached to the second location of the ship's
metal hull forms an electromagnetic field in the metal hull and
propagates the first signal corresponding to the voice in the
electromagnetic field, this antenna receives the first signal. The
interphone device also includes a transmission/reception circuit
unit that modulates and decodes the first signal and provides the
modulated and decoded result as the voice.
Then, the principle that the voice is capable of being transmitted
through the metal hull will be described first with reference to
FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for describing a principle
that a voice is transmitted through a metal hull, according to an
example embodiment. In the illustrated example, for example, a
metal medium 101 may be the steel sheet or frame structure of the
hull. It is separately described that the case where the metal
medium 101 is a magnetic substance and the case where the metal
medium 101 is a diamagnetic substance.
Case where Metal Medium is Magnetic Substance
The conductive layers of a first antenna 110 form an
electromagnetic field in the dielectric layer. Then, the
electromagnetic field where a magnetic field is dominant is formed
in the metal medium 101, which is radio media, by an
electromagnetic field. Among the generated electromagnetic fields,
an electric field E1 perpendicularly propagates to the metal medium
101 through the aperture of the antenna 110. The propagated
electric field E1 forms an electromagnetic field B where a magnetic
field is dominant in the metal medium 101.
Then, according to a similar structure and principle by the
reversibility theory, a second antenna 120 on the receiver side
receives energy from the electromagnetic field formed in the metal
medium 101. In this process, the change in the electromagnetic
field B, in which a magnetic field is dominant, is transmitted to
the electromagnetic field E2, in which an electric field is
dominant, through the aperture of the antenna 120 in the dielectric
layer.
Because the magnetic field is dominant in this metal body
communication, the impedance change is small even though the shape
and size of the metal medium 101 change. Furthermore, because the
metal medium 101 has a higher permeability than air, the metal
medium 101 has radio propagation efficiency better than a
communication system using the propagation into the air.
For example, steel has a permeability of about 2000 and pure iron
has a permeability of about 4000 to 5000; this means that the steel
and the pure iron have permeability about 2000 times and about 4000
to 5000 times greater than the permeability of air, respectively.
This means that the propagation of the magnetic field in the
magnetic substance is much stronger than in the air and is farther
than the propagation into the air. Accordingly, it means that the
distance of communication through the metal medium 101, which is a
magnetic substance, is farther than magnetic field communication in
the air. For the purpose of forming an electromagnetic field, in
which the magnetic field is dominant, the resonator and the circuit
unit needs to be designed such that the electric field of a certain
magnitude is formed inside the metal body.
In the meantime, in the case of metal medium with high
permeability, the propagation efficiency is increased and the
transmission distance varies depending on the wavelength of the
operating frequency. Due to the electromagnetic field formed in the
metal medium 101, energy may be delivered to a resonator at a
specific distance from the metal medium. Because the magnetic field
in the electromagnetic field formed in the metal medium 101 is
dominant, the electric field is emitted from the metal medium 101;
accordingly, energy reception is possible when the antenna
resonating at the operating frequency is within a specific distance
from the metal medium 101.
The dielectric substance of the dielectric layer of antenna 110 or
120 may reduce the thickness and size of the resonator and may
allow sufficient energy to be transferred by forming the
electromagnetic field B in which the magnetic field is dominant, in
the metal medium 101.
Case where Metal Medium is Paramagnetic Substance or Diamagnetic
Substance
The current fed to the side of the conductive layer forms the
electromagnetic field E1, in which the electric field is dominant,
in the metal medium 101. At this time, the electric field radiated
from the aperture does not form an electromagnetic field B, in
which the magnetic field is dominant, in the metal medium 101. The
reason is that paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances have similar
permeability to air. Accordingly, as in the case of the
ferromagnetic substance, in the metal medium 101 of the
paramagnetic or diamagnetic substances, the propagation of the
magnetic field in the air is not stronger and the magnetic field
propagates in a similar magnitude. In other words, the distance of
the propagation in the air or inside the metal body is similar.
In the case of pure iron, which is a ferromagnetic substance, the
permeability is between 4000 and 5000; aluminum, which is a
paramagnetic substance, or silver, which is a diamagnetic
substance, has a permeability of about 1.0; the intensity of the
magnetic field propagation inside the metal body is different.
Accordingly, in this case, the signal propagates to the receiver by
the current induced from the layer in contact with the metal medium
101 of the conductive layer of the antenna to the metal medium 101.
At this time, the electric field radiated from the aperture is
induced in the metal body, and thus the signal or power is
transmitted.
Structure of Antenna Part
FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna unit 210 and a transmission/reception
circuit unit 220, according to an example embodiment. In the
illustrated example, the antenna 210 includes an aperture and
includes a first layer of a conductive material that will contact
the metal medium, a second layer of a conductive material disposed
on the opposite surface of the first layer, and a third layer of a
dielectric material included between the first layer and the second
layer.
FIG. 3 is also referenced. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an antenna unit
300, according to an example embodiment. By way of example, but not
limitation, the first layer and/or second layer may include nine
openings 310 having the array of 3.times.3. However, the number of
apertures may be determined differently depending on the
application and the communication environment. Alternatively, the
first layer and the second layer may have one or a plurality of
apertures, but may not have an aperture in some cases. The shape of
the aperture may be circular or polygonal, and the size of the
aperture is determined such that sufficient energy is delivered by
forming an electromagnetic field, in which the magnetic field is
dominant, in the metal medium.
The thickness of each layer is determined such that sufficient
energy is transmitted by forming an electromagnetic field, in which
the magnetic field is dominant, in the metal medium in
consideration of a wavelength and a skin depth. Other layer(s) with
different electrical characteristics may be added to the first or
second layer, in the opposite direction of the third layer. For
example, the formation of a strong electromagnetic field may be
induced by adding another dielectric layer to the upper layer of
the first layer. For another example, an electrical connection to
the metal medium may be prevented by adding an insulator to the
upper layer of the first layer.
The third layer, which is an intermediate layer between the first
and second layers, may be implemented with a dielectric substance
or insulator. By way of example, but not limitation, the third
layer may include at least one of carbon fiber, acrylic, and
polycarbonate. However, other materials such as paint (varnish),
polymer resin film, and the like may be included. Furthermore, the
third layer may include multiple layers with different properties,
a plurality of dielectrics, or an insulator. An exemplary antenna
configuration having two or more dielectric layers is illustrated
in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a side view of an antenna unit, according to
another example embodiment. In the illustrated example embodiment,
dielectric layers 420 and 440 are interposed between conductive
layers 410, 430, and 450 such as copper. The number of dielectric
layers, the thickness thereof, and the like are the items of a
design to be changed depending on the application or communication
environment; the specific specification is determined such that
energy enough to form the electromagnetic field, in which the
magnetic field is dominant, is transferred to the metal medium.
In the above, the waveguide antenna is basically described as an
example. However, other antenna types are possible when a resonator
with a structure that forms an electromagnetic field, in which a
magnetic field is dominant, in the metal body is designed. For
example, a patch antenna or a horn antenna may be used.
Example of Additional Magnetic Field Induction
In the meantime, strong magnetic fields may be induced in the metal
body by attaching ferromagnetic substances to the metal medium 101
in advance. For example, a dielectric substance or an insulator is
attached on the first layer and then the ferromagnetic substance is
attached on the dielectric substance or the insulator. Moreover, it
is placed on a metal medium.
Then, the attached ferromagnetic substance forms a strong magnetic
field; this causes the magnetic field to be induced in the metal
medium, thereby forming a magnetic field stronger than directly
inducing the magnetic field in the metal body. When the attached
ferromagnetic substance is the refined iron or mu-metal having the
permeability of 100,000 to 200,000, a much stronger magnetic field
may be formed in the metal body. In another example embodiment, it
is also possible to wind the coil around the ferromagnetic
substance and to attach it to the metal body while a magnetic field
is generated in the ferromagnetic substance.
Transmission/Reception Circuit Unit
FIG. 2 is also referenced. The transmission/reception circuit unit
220 is a circuit device that converts the signal, which is
transmitted and received by the antenna 210 being a resonator, into
a meaningful signal. It is divided into a circuit for transmission
and a circuit for reception. A transmission circuit unit may
include a power supply circuit for driving a circuit or for
supplying sufficient power to the resonator; may include a battery
to this end. The transmission circuit is similar to the structure
of a transmission system of a general wireless communication.
However, an additional circuit is required for the resonator to
emit sufficient power in some cases. For example, there is a need
for a power amp., an automatic gain controller (AGC), or the like.
The receiver has a structure similar to that of a general wireless
communication system.
Use Frequency
The frequency used for communication is not particularly limited,
but it is possible to select the optimal frequency depending on the
characteristics of the transmitted data and the communication
environment. The relationship of an antenna size (one side length
of the antenna unit 300 in the example of FIG. 3) for some
frequencies is illustrated in the table below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 150 mm 100 mm 60 mm Frequency f (Hz)
25000000 25000000 25000000 Speed of light C (m/s) 300000000
300000000 300000000 Wavelength .lamda. (m) 12 12 12
Intra-wavelength .lamda.g (m) 7.236 7.500 7.500 Aperture
(.lamda.gmm) 4.146 2.667 1.600 Side gap (.lamda.gmm) 1.382 0.933
0.800 Intermediate gap (.lamda.gmm) 2.764 1.733 0.800 Copper T
(.lamda.gmm) 0.041 0.040 0.040 Dielectric T (.lamda.gmm) 0.138
0.133 0.267
Operating Power
Although it was not video communication, the transmission and
reception power in the 27 MHz band for voice communication (radio)
is tested. The environment of the corresponding test is as
follows.
Standby power: 1.794 W (regardless of an antenna size)
Transmission Power
Antenna size 150mm.times.150 mm: 22.08 W Antenna size
100mm.times.100 mm: 21.39 W Antenna size 60 mm.times.60mm: 10.35
W
Reception Power
Antenna size 150mm.times.150 mm: 2.76 W Antenna size
100mm.times.100 mm: 3.45 W Antenna size 60 mm.times.60 mm: 6.21
W
In this test, the regulated voltage measured by a tester through a
radio circuit was 13.8 V, the distance between a transmission
antenna and a reception antenna was about 1 meter.
In this case, the measured current is as follows.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Antenna size State Tx Rx 60 mm .times. 60 mm
Standby 0.13 (A) 0.13 (A) Acting 0.75 (A) 0.45 (A) 100 mm .times.
100 mm Standby 0.13 (A) 0.13 (A) Acting 1.55 (A) 0.25 (A) 150 mm
.times. 150 mm Standby 0.13 (A) 0.13 (A) Acting 1.60 (A) 0.20
(A)
The measured current varies depending on a voice signal level, and
the measured current value is the average value.
Transmission of Power
Meanwhile, according to an example embodiment, power transmission
and reception are also possible in addition to data communication.
Because it transmits power similarly to transmitting a signal, it
is also called a power transmitter or a power receiver. The power
transmitter circuit unit of the power transmitter converts DC from
the power outlet into an analog or RF signal, and transmits the
converted power through a power transmitter resonator (same as
antenna in signal transmission, the same as above).
The power receiver circuit unit (the same as antenna in signal
reception, the same as above) of the power receiver receives the
analog or RF signal, which is radiated through the power
transmitter resonator of the power transmitter, through a power
receiver resonator of the power receiver and converts the received
analog or RF signal to DC in a power receiver circuit to supply the
converted result to the necessary circuit. If necessary, the
additionally required voltage may be converted (DC-DC converter)
and then may be supplied. Moreover, when a battery is present in
the power receiver, it is also possible to charge the battery and
it is also possible to supply power to the required circuit at the
same time while the battery is charged.
Example of Interphone System for Ship
FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of an overall system
configuration, according to an example embodiment. According to an
example embodiment, an interphone system for a ship may be roughly
composed of an impedance matching unit 510, a Micro Controller Unit
(MCU) 520, and an input/output unit 530.
The impedance matching unit 510 may be composed of a metal body
communication antenna 511, an automatic control power amplifier
512, and a current sensing unit 513; the current sensing unit 513
performs current sensing (513) for impedance conversion (514). The
input/output unit 530 may be composed of an audio amplifier 531, a
current sensing unit 532, a speaker, and a microphone.
In more detail, the current sensing unit 532 senses the current of
the audio amplifier 531 and delivers the current value to the MCU
520. The MCU 520 adaptively converts (514) the impedance of the
metal body communication antenna 511 based on the sensed current.
Moreover, the current sensing unit 513 continuously senses the
amount of change in current flowing through the automatic control
hull and then feeds the amount of change back to the MCU 520. As
the amount of change is fed back, the MCU 520 adjusts the gain of
the automatic control power amplifier 512 and then adaptively
converts (514) the impedance of the metal body communication
antenna 511.
For example, when the current of the audio amplifier 531 is
constant but the current flowing into the hull changes, the
impedance is converted (514) adaptively such that the impedances of
the transmitter and receiver correspond to each other. The current
sensing unit 513 is to detect changes of various impedances
according to the distance between partitions, the thickness, and
the structural change of a ship. Through the method, the
communication efficiency is improved by matching transmitter
impedance with receiver impedance. The adaptive impedance
conversion (514) method will be described in detail with reference
to FIG. 6.
The MCU 520 may receive power in a battery. It may also be possible
to receive power adjusted by a regulator before the power is
received. The battery may be a battery existing inside the ship or
a separate power source of the ship. The regulator may supply power
to an LCD controller, an MCU, and an audio amplifier.
Example of Impedance Matching
FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram for impedance matching,
according to an example embodiment. An MCU uses a plurality of
capacitors C1 to Cn and transistors TR1 to TRn for impedance
matching. Hereinafter, for example, a capacitor and a transistor
are used, but other electronic devices such as a diode and the like
may be implemented to be used.
The plurality of capacitors are connected between an RF terminal
and an antenna. In the plurality of transistors, a source is
connected between each capacitor and an RF terminal, and a drain is
connected to ground. Furthermore, the gate is connected to the
MCU.
The plurality of transistors perform a switching role that is
connected to the MCU and to control the on/off of a capacitor. The
MCU allows the gate terminal voltages of the plurality of
transistors to be adjusted.
First, the amount of change in the current flowing through the hull
is measured. For example, when the amount of change is 10 mA, the
voltage of an analog digital converter (ADC) is set to 5 mV. The
transistor that turns on or off depending on a voltage level is
selected. The impedance may be adjusted by turning the transistor
on or off depending on the selection. Specific examples refer to
Table 3 below.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 ADC voltage Selection TR.sub.1 TR.sub.2
TR.sub.3 . . . TR.sub.n 5 mV Sel 1 On Off Off . . . Off 10 mV Sel 2
Off On Off . . . Off 15 mV Sel 3 Off Off On . . . Off 20 mV Sel 4
On On Off . . . Off 25 mV Sel 5 Off On On . . . Off 30 mV Sel 6 Off
Off On . . . Off . . . Sel n On On On . . . On
Table 3 lists the number of cases in each of which a transistor is
turned on and off depending on an ADC voltage in units of 5 mV.
This is only an example and is not limited thereto; another method
of matching impedances so as to correspond to each other may be
possible. In impedance matching, the matching may be made using a
lookup table as shown in Table 3; a method of calculating and
matching the impedance depending on the current value every moment
is also possible.
Appearance of Ship after Interphone is Installed
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a whole ship in which a plurality of
ship interphones are installed, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 7 illustrates a ship 700 and ship interphones 710 and 720.
For example, when the first interphone 710 is present at the lowest
point of the ship 700 and the second interphone 720 is present in
an upper cabin, conventionally, each interphone needs to be
connected wiredly. The conventional wireless communication is
impossible because being blocked by the partition depending on the
nature of a steel ship, and thus there is a need to wiredly connect
the first interphone 710 to the second interphone 720 through
drilling a hole in the steel partition. In the case of a large
ship, the connection distance is hundreds of meters, and thus there
is also a concern that the wired connection is expensive and is to
be disconnected in the middle.
In case of using the proposed interphone, communication is possible
as long as it is connected from the first interphone 710 to the
second interphone 720 through metal. The communication method using
a specific metal body is described in FIGS. 1 to 4. Accordingly,
because it is connected from the first interphone 710 to the second
interphone 720 through the steel partition, communication is
possible without a separate wire connection.
In the example, each interphone is attached to a specific location
but is not limited thereto. As long as the metal body is connected
no matter where each interphone is attached to the ship 700,
wireless communication is possible. Accordingly, while an
interphone is carried instead of being fixed at a specific
location, a shape that attaches and uses the interphone to a metal
wall is also possible, if necessary.
Detail Appearance of Interphone
FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed appearance of a ship interphone,
according to an example embodiment. The ship interphone 800 may be
composed of an LCD display unit 810, a button unit 820, an
input/output unit 830, and an antenna 840.
The LCD display unit 810 may display various pieces of information
about caller information, current time, the location of an
interphone, or the like and may display some information about a
ship's status, without limiting the example.
The button unit 820 has a number pad for pressing a number when
another interphone is connected and may additionally include a fire
alarm button, a leak alarm button, an emergency notification
button, and the like, as needed.
The input/output unit 830 includes an input unit (or a microphone)
for the user to enter his/her voice and an output unit (or a
speaker) for outputting the voice of a counterpart. The user may
make a call to the counterpart, using the input/output unit. In
some cases, a camera for making a video call may be further
included.
Finally, the antenna 840 may be implemented in the form disclosed
in FIG. 3. The antenna 840 is attached to one surface of the ship
so as to communicate with an interphone attached to the other
surface of the ship.
Appearance of Compartment in which Interphone is installed
FIG. 9 illustrates an appearance in which a ship interphone is
attached to a partition in a cabin, according to an example
embodiment. The ship interphone 910 attached to any wall of a
compartment 900 is illustrated.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the compartment 900 refers to any room
surrounded by metal walls present in a ship. The ship interphone
910 may be attached to any location inside the compartment.
Additional Example Embodiment
In the above examples, the interphone which transmits and receives
a voice in the ship using the interphone is described, but is not
limited thereto. A repeater that transmits and receives data is
also possible.
In more detail, the repeater including a data input/output unit, a
transmission/reception circuit unit, an antenna, and a controller
is implemented. The repeater performs metal body wireless
communication in the same scheme as the interphone, and the
controller performs impedance matching. Even when data is
transmitted and received, the communication efficiency or
sensitivity may be improved through impedance matching.
There is also a specific example that is capable of performing
transmission through the data communication. For example, a system
for transmitting a photo or video file is also possible. When the
interphone device installed and used in the ship additionally
includes an image input/output unit, the interphone device may also
transmit photo or video files. In detail, the camera may receive a
photo or video and may output the photo or video through the
display unit.
According to another example embodiment, even when wireless
communication devices such as a laptop, a computer, a smartphone,
and the like are used inside a specific compartment of the ship,
the communication to the outside of the compartment is possible
through the repeater. When the antenna of the proposed method is
attached to the inside of a partition and the antenna outside a
hull is connected to an external network, the communication to the
outside is also possible.
The foregoing devices may be realized by hardware elements,
software elements and/or combinations thereof. For example, the
devices and components illustrated in the example embodiments of
the inventive concept may be implemented in one or more general-use
computers or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a
controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal
processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array (FPA), a
programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor or any device which
may execute instructions and respond. A processing unit may perform
an operating system (OS) or one or software applications running on
the OS. Further, the processing unit may access, store, manipulate,
process and generate data in response to execution of software. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that although a
single processing unit may be illustrated for convenience of
understanding, the processing unit may include a plurality of
processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing
elements. For example, the processing unit may include a plurality
of processors or one processor and one controller. Also, the
processing unit may have a different processing configuration, such
as a parallel processor.
Software may include computer programs, codes, instructions or one
or more combinations thereof and configure a processing unit to
operate in a desired manner or independently or collectively
control the processing unit. Software and/or data may be
permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine,
components, physical equipment, virtual equipment, computer storage
media or units or transmitted signal waves so as to be interpreted
by the processing unit or to provide instructions or data to the
processing unit. Software may be dispersed throughout computer
systems connected via networks and be stored or executed in a
dispersion manner. Software and data may be recorded in one or more
computer-readable storage media.
The methods according to the above-described example embodiments
may be recorded in computer-readable media including program
instructions to implement various operations embodied by a
computer. The computer-readable medium may also include the program
instructions, data files, data structures, or a combination
thereof. The program instructions recorded in the media may be
designed and configured specially for the example embodiments or be
known and available to those skilled in computer software. The
computer-readable medium may include hardware devices, which are
specially configured to store and execute program instructions,
such as magnetic media (e.g., a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a
magnetic tape), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROM and DVD),
magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk), read only memories
(ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), and flash memories. Examples
of program instructions include not only machine language codes
created by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that are
capable of being executed by a computer by using an interpreter or
the like. The described hardware devices may be configured to act
as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the
above-described example embodiments of the inventive concept, or
vice versa.
Even though example embodiments have been described with reference
to limited drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various modifications and variations can be made from the
foregoing descriptions. For example, adequate effects may be
achieved even if the foregoing processes and methods are carried
out in different order than described above, and/or the
aforementioned elements, such as systems, structures, devices, or
circuits, are combined or coupled in different forms and modes than
as described above or be substituted or switched with other
components or equivalents.
Therefore, other implements, other example embodiments, and
equivalents to claims are within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *